Page 127 of Rear View
My gaze landed on my lap. After living on my own so long, it felt weird to be back at home, but so, so good to sleep at night. I missed Xavier and the calm he brought. Missed his warmth and his touch. Couldn’t wait to see him in Baythorn for his race.
I was stronger with him. Because of him.
“How serious is it?” Mom asked.
“Hmm?” I said, pulled from my musings.
“You and Xavier?” Her brows flicked up. “That’s who you were thinking about, wasn’t it?”
I canted my head. “What makes you say that?”
“Because your eyes, sweetheart.” She ran her fingers over my hair. “They soften for him.”
Warm tingles spread from my arms to my back, and I inhaled deep, shoulders rising as I filled my lungs.
“So?” she repeated, “How serious is it?”
I bit my lip to hide my smile. “Serious.”
She nodded as if she’d gathered as much. “He’s special, Ryah. Men like that don’t come around often.”
“I love him, Mom,” I confessed. So much. With everything I had.
Her expression was maternal and sweet and so, so genuine. “I can tell.” She switched lanes, aiming for the College Street exit, and gave my knee a pat. “You look good with each other.”
Tugging my seat belt strap, I wiggled deeper into my seat.
“What’s his family like?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Complicated.”
Her head dipped in a nod. “I assumed.”
“You assumed?”
“A man doesn’t develop that kind of character without traveling a difficult road.”
Difficult didn’t even begin to describe it.
“He’s the reason you told us, isn’t he?” It wasn’t really a question.
I opened my mouth to defend myself but she tsked me into silence.
“If you were going to tell us on your own, you would have.” My mouth dropped but she waved it off. “He pushed you, Ryah. And you want that. Not someone who pushes to do what’s right for them, but someone who pushes to do what’s right foryou. You’ve found it, sweetheart. So, hold on with both hands, because that kind of selflessness is rare.”
The flutter in my chest had me itching to call him.
Mom turned into the U of E lot, and I pointed. “There’s good.”
“Is that Zoya?”
“Yep. She’s walking me in.”
“Tell her hello for me.”
“I will.”
Pulling to a stop, she leaned over and wrapped her arms around me in a hug. “I love you, baby. I’m so happy for you.” She pulled back and grimaced. “Not about the stalker thing though.”
